Ipswich City Council considers indigenous names for bridge, road named after disgraced former mayor Paul Pisasale
Extensive consultation with the Ipswich community has revealed residents are in favour of renaming a local bridge and road, both currently named after disgraced former mayor Paul Pisasale, in line with one particular theme.
Ipswich
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Ipswich City Council-owned assets named after disgraced former mayor Paul Pisasale will likely be renamed by the Traditional Custodians of the local area following extensive community consultation efforts.
A community engagement report tabled at the council’s Thursday May 19 ordinary meeting revealed the most popular suggestion among Ipswich residents is for the council to consult with the area’s First Nations people and have them decide a new indigenous name for both Pisasale Dr and Paul Pisasale Bridge.
The report stated the council received a total of 528 submissions by members of the community about renaming the assets over a three-stage engagement period spanning January to April this year.
Five categories for each asset — including Ash Barty, an indigenous name chosen by Traditional Custodians, native flora or fauna, a local hero, and Jeff Watson — proved to be particularly popular among Ipswich residents, along with the suggestion to leave the Springfield Central bridge with no name at all.
“The most common sentiment expressed in the comments were those in support of an indigenous name for the bridge and drive,” the report read.
“People also suggested indigenous names for the bridge including ‘Ugarapul’ after the Traditional Custodians or ‘Bilin Bilin’, an Aboriginal man who worked closely with the early settlers in Ipswich.”
Renaming the road will cost an estimated $3000 while renaming the bridge will cost an estimated $1500.
It was recommended that councillors vote at the May 19 meeting in favour of CEO Sonia Cooper working with the relevant indigenous groups to decide new names for the bridge and road.
However, Councillor Paul Tully moved a procedural motion to have the matter “lie on the table” until the council’s June ordinary meeting. He said the matter was “longstanding” and he thought it would be “appropriate to defer” it.
“I do require a range of additional information which I would intend to seek over that period of time,” Cr Tully said.
“Some of the background, numbers of people who were consulted or provided information, just a whole range of issues.
“In my view, it would be appropriate for this to be deferred for one month.”
Mayor Teresa Harding spoke against Cr Tully’s motion and said she was of the view all relevant information about the community engagement carried out in relation to renaming the assets was contained in the report before the council.
Councillors Sheila Ireland, Nicole Jonic, Russell Milligan, and Jacob Madsen voted in line with Cr Tully’s motion while Mayor Teresa Harding and councillors Marnie Doyle, Andrew Fechner, and Kate Kunzelmann voted in opposition.
The matter is due to be discussed again at the council’s June meeting after additional information about community sentiment is provided to the council.
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